Cavs Drop Game Three, 121-108

*** It’s been a wild, drama-filled postseason for the Cavaliers. But there wasn’t much suspense to Saturday’s Game 3 at Rocket Arena. 

The Knicks jumped out to an early lead and were essentially in control the entire way – cruising to the 121-108 wire-to-wire victory and putting Cleveland in a bind in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

After clawing their way through two grueling seven-game series in the First Round and East Semis – playing every other day since April 29 – the physical and emotional fatigue seemed to finally be a factor as the Cavaliers hosted their first Eastern Conference Finals games since 2018. The Knicks, who enjoyed an eight-day rest after sweeping Philly in the previous round, simply looked like the fresher squad on Saturday night. 

Donovan Mitchell was asked about fatigue as a factor following the game. 

“I mean, we were up 20 in Game 1,” said Mitchell. “So, like, if we win Game 1, I don't think you're asking these questions. But I think, ultimately, we're missing shots right now. We had an opportunity to close at home (against Detroit) in Game 6, which would have given us three days off after Game 2 of this series, and we didn’t do it. So, everybody can point to the three-and-a-half weeks of (games) every other day, but we had an opportunity to close out the other day. So, this is where we're at. We have an opportunity to get one on Monday and then go back to New York and get one there and come back here. So that's where the mindset is.”

New York ran out to an eight-point lead in the opening minutes and took a double-digit lead to end the first quarter. The Cavs fought back to tie the affair on James Harden’s floater midway through the second period, but Jalen Brunson’s bucket on the next possession ignited a 10-1 Knicks run right before half. 

The Cavaliers stayed within striking distance through the third quarter, but New York started wearing Cleveland down near the start of the fourth – taking a double-digit lead less than 90 seconds in the final stanza and snuffing any potential rally from there. 

“(The Knicks) were the more physical team tonight,” said Coach Kenny Atkinson after the loss. “I think they're physicality and energy, we couldn't get to that level to combat it. I think the turnovers hurt us, and Shamet getting loose there – they had a role player step up on the road. But whatever the stats say tonight, they were the much better team.”

Evan Mobley led five Cavaliers in double-figures with 24 points, going 10-for-18 from the floor, adding six boards, a pair of assists and a block. 

Donovan Mitchell followed up with 23 points on 9-of-21 shooting, including 3-for-10 from long-range, adding four assists and a team-high three steals. James Harden went 8-for-15 from the floor for 19 points, adding a team-best five assists to go with five boards and a steal. 

On the negative side of the ledger, the Cavs guard duo and Mobley all finished with at least five turnovers in the loss. 

“(New York) played a little faster, and we just, we never really get a grip on the game,” said Harden. “You know, we had times where we played well on both sides of the ball, but just more times than not, they just played a little bit faster and made some shots.”

Jarrett Allen was the only other starter in double-figures with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding seven boards. 

Max Strus led Cleveland’s second unit with 13 points for his sixth game this postseason with double-digit scoring off the bench. 

As a team, the Wine and Gold shot an even 50 percent from the floor, although just 29 percent (12-of-41) from beyond the arc and just 63 percent from the stripe. Conversely, the Knicks connected on 56 percent of their shots and were 24-of-27 from the line. They also outpaced Cleveland on the break, 17-4. 

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 30 points in Game 3, going 10-for-19 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the stripe, adding six assists and a steal. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 13 points, eight boards and a game-high seven assists. Landry Shamet led all reserves with 14 points – going 4-of-5 from long-range on the night (and is now 7-for-8 from deep in the series). 

*** After falling in Game 3 on Saturday night, the Cavaliers will look for their first win in the series when these two lock horns once again on Monday night for Game 4. If necessary, the Wine & Gold travel back to New York for Game 5 on Wednesday, and if they can keep it rolling, Game 6 back at Rocket Arena next Friday. If Cleveland can force the series to its duration, Game 7 is slated for next Sunday at the Garden.